Sustainability in the Caribbean

Intense, field-based research opportunity in Grenada, West Indies

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Maymester 2015

Info Sessions

03 February 2:00pm-3:00pm

16 February 10:00am-11:00am

16 February 11:00am-12:00pm

17 February 2:00pm-3:00pm

All in held in room NC 3617

Representative of the West Indies in general, the tri-island nation of Grenada represents a unique learning environment for studying sustainability. This course introduces students to many concepts of sustainability distinct to lesser-developed countries (LDCs) while offering practical, hands-on experience in various field techniques and methods (e.g., transects, geographical analysis, survey construction, trail impact, etc.) with an international perspective usable in any locale. Students will keep daily records (field/travel journals), complete daily in situ tasks, engage in daily thought-provoking discussions, generate a technical report on a pre-determined topic, and learn Grenadian culture by interacting with locals.

Upon return to the US, students will be de-briefed and assessed, and turn-in several short video segments. This course builds on specific research projects, determined each year by the instructors. If a student wants to conduct personal research based on their interests, Professor Allen may work with them individually to make certain the topic is relevant, useful, and feasible in the time frame.​

Did you study abroad as a student?

Yes. I participated in THREE undergraduate study abroad
programs, all at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. They included the
Middle East (Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Cyprus, Turkey, & Greece), the UK
(England & Scotland), and South America (Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina,
Uruguay, Peru, Chile, & Bolivia) They are the reasons I now lead study
abroad programs. Without participating, I would perhaps never had the desire to
run programs of my own. Additionally, study abroad programs represent a superb
way to expose students to the "real" world and experience life in
ways they never thought possible. I tell students all the time, "You may
learn a lot of content on a study abroad, but just as importantly, you'll learn
a lot about yourself".

1

Why should Geography & Environmental Sciences students go abroad?

Because it's a necessity in today's world. Everyone needs to
know how everyone else lives, and learn that we are more alike than different.
People everywhere want essentially the same things, and yet we continually
divide ourselves. Study abroad combats that mental road block, allowing us to
gain insights and understandings that help us gain greater appreciation for our
fellow beings.

2

What inspires you about Grenada?

What was the most interesting thing that happened to you in Grenada?

Seeing students become excited at the prospect of learning
something new and experience things they never thought possible. In Grenada,
I've had students become so attached to the people that they actually cry when
they leave. THAT is powerful. I've also had students become aware of how little
it can take to be happy. And when that realization hits them, it's powerful,
and they recognize it.​

4

What was the weirdest thing that happened to you in Grenada?

Having the Minister of Tourism call me on my cell phone
while we were analyzing ocean salinity, to ask what we were doing to make sure
it would only put the Island in a good light. I didn't even know she knew me,
let alone had my Grenadian cell number.​

5

What is your favorite food from Grenada?

Anything with nutmeg in it: nutmeg ice cream and
milkshakes are my most favorite. But Grenada has many things with all sorts of
spices (hello, "Isle of Spice")...​6

What is one thing Americans should know about Grenada?

They speak English. It's still recovering from Hurricane
Ivan in 2004, but making progress. Grenadians are some of the most proud and
patriotic people I've ever met.​

7

Why do you get excited about the subject matter of Sustainability in West Indies?

Because we get to study EVERYTHING possible about the
Grenada. Students learn not just history and politics (by exploring actual
sites of recent revolutions), but also about eco-tourism, biology, ecology,
geology, and marine science. It's a small enough Island that we CAN do it all.​

8

What do you expect students to learn from your course?

Adaptability, flexibility, and patience. And that fieldwork
often changes at a moment's notice and they need to be ready and adapt, be
flexible enough to change directions in the middle of something, and have the
patience to know that it probably will NOT work out the way you initially
thought. That and to learn the importance of "Island Life" attitude.​